Apparatus for assembling an elastic tubular rubber insert under radial compression between an outer rigid tube and an inner rigid core



Dec. 1, 1953 INSERT UNDER RADIAL COMPRESSION BETWEEN AN OUTER RIGID TUBEAND AN INNER RIGID CORE Filed Nov. 26. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 H G. BECKAPPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING AN ELASTIC TUBULAR RUBBER I I I I I I I I I I g1- k I I Q I g I F 1 m I R I m N t 1W N R: I 1

I II

INVENTOR Hbwdrol G. Beck ATTORNEYS Dec. 1, 1953 H. G. BECK APPARATUS FORASSEMBLING AN ELASTIC TUBULAR RUBB INSERT UNDER RADIAL COMPRESSIONBETWEEN AN Filed Nov. 26, 1948 N r a I if t *N N N Q l I a m I s OUTERRIGID TUBE AND AN INNER RIGID CORE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Howard G. B eckATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 BECK INSERT UNDER RADIAL COMPRESSION BETWEENAN OUTER RIGID TUBE AND AN INNER RIGID CORE mwLR we w APPARATUS FORASSEMBLING AN ELASTIC TUBULAR RUBBER INVENTOR Howard G- Beck Dec. 1,1953 Filed Nov. 26, 1948 f- ATTORNEYS 2 H. G. BECK Dec. 1, 1953 AAPPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING AN ELASTIC TUBULAR RUBBER INsERT UNDER RADIALCOMPRESSION BETWEEN AN OUTER RIGID TUBE AND AN INNER RIGID coRE 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 26, 1948 INVENTOR moi Q Howard G. Beck t/M f-76 :7 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICEAPPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING AN ELAS- TIC TUBULAR RUBBER INSERT UNDER RADIALCOMPRESSION BETWEEN AN OUTER RIGID TUBE AND AN INNER RIGID COREApplication November 26, 1948, Serial No. 62,002

9 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for assembling an elastic tubularrubber insert under radial compression between an outer rigid tube andan inner rigid core to form a yieldable unit for use in articulatedjoints, vibration dampening supports and the like.

The invention has for an object to provide means by which the assemblyis effected with a minimum distortion of the elastic rubber insert.

A further object is to provide an assembling apparatus by means of whichthe yieldable units can be assembled with rapidity and with smallexpenditure of power.

A further object is to provide a positively operated machine by means ofwhich the inserts and core member are very accurately positioned withrespect to each other and with respect to the outer shell.

The present invention is an improvement on that disclosed and claimed inco-pending application of Raymond H. Cowles, Serial No. 62,072, filedNovember 26, 1948.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an assembling machine embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on the line indicatedat 2--2 in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3, 4 and are sections similar to Fig. 2, showing the parts insuccessive operating positions;

Fig. 3 shows the outer tube clamped to the funnel-shaped guide throughwhich the elastic rubber insert is forced into the outer tube and theinsert pressing plunger in engagement with the insert;

Fig. 4 shows the insert within the outer sleeve in the position which itoccupies prior to insertion of the core;

Fig. 5 shows the core carrying plunger fully advanced and the core inplace Within the rub ber insert;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View showing the completed assembly;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the machine showing the fluid pressuresystem and electrical controls diagrammatically;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through one of the solenoid operatedpressure controlled valves; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view partially in section and on an enlargedscale showing the manner of mounting the core pilot on the coreinserting plunger.

The accompanying drawings show a machine for assembling a tubular rubberinsert A within an outer metal sleeve B and around an inner tubular coreC, the completed assembly being shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The machine of the present invention is mounted upon a table I in frontof which there is provided an operators platform 2 and to the rear ofwhich there is provided a bin 3 having compartments 4, 5 and 6 forinserts A, outer tubes B and core tubes C, respectively.

Upon the table I there are mounted three axially alined cylinders l, 8and 9, and on the table I in front of the platform 2 there are two palmswitches Ill and I l which control the operation of the machine. Theswitches I0 and II are in series and must be held closed by the operatorduring the operation of the machine. Since both hands of the operatorare required to be upon the switches l0 and H during operation of themachine, it is notpossible for the operator to get a hand into the pathof a moving part of the machine.

Substantially midway between the ends thereof the table I is providedwith a fixed standard I2 and to this standard there are secured twoparallel horizontally disposed longitudinal guide rods [3 which extendtoward the cylinder 9 and which are supported adjacent the inner end ofthe cylinder 9 on posts l4. A crosshead I 5 is slidably mounted on theguide rods I 3 and is connected by parallel tie rods l6 and I! disposedupon opposite sides of the cylinders 1 and 8 to a crosshead l8 that isattached to the piston [9 of the cylinder 8, the cylinder 8 serving tomove the crosshead l 5 toward and away from the fixed standard [2. Asecond crosshead 20 is slidably mounted on the rods I3 and is attachedto the piston 2| of the. cylinder 9.

A horizontally disposed cylindrical housing 22 is attached at its innerend to the standard [2 and extends from the standard I2 toward thecylinder 1 in axial alinement therewith. Within the housing 22 there ismounted a slide 23 that projects from the inner end of the housing. Theslide 23 has a portion 24 slidably fitting within the housing 22 and thehousing 22 is provided with a shoulder 25 with which the portion 24engages to limit the inward movement of the slide 23. The slide 23 isnormally held at its inward limit of movement by a spring 26 interposedbetween the slide 23 and a stop sleeve 2! adjuzsgaably mounted in theouter end of the housmg The slide 23 has an outer end portion 28 thatprojects past the inner end of the housing 22 rubber insert by the axialpressure of the plunger that tend to expand the insert toward the end ofthe tube A into which it was entered so that as the tapered pilot passesthrough the insert the insert is gradually elongated with a mini-' mumof resistance to the passage of the core pilot and entry of the core C.The volume of the insert is such that it occupies substantially the fulllength of the space between the tubes B and C so that the entry of thecore merely causes elongation of the insert in the direction of movementof the pilot and core. The plunger sleeve 38 moves freely duringplacement of the core tube C until the shoulder 39 engages the inner endof the tubular guide 36 so that a positive stop is provided to insureproper positioning of the insert without impeding the axial expansion ofthe insert due to passage of the pilot and entry of the core. By forcingthe insert under pressure into one end of the tube 13 and subsequentlyforcing the core tube C into the insert behind an elongated taperedpilot from the opposite end of the tube B, the stresses within theinsert A due to the axial and radial thrusts to which it was subjectedwhen forced into the tube B are substantially equalized and a minimumresistance is offered to the movement of the insert relative to thetubes. Consequently a relatively small amount of power is required andthe percentage of defective assemblies due to distortion of the elasticrubber insert is very greatly reduced.

In order to obtain rapidity of operation, means is provided forautomatically operating the fluid pressure cylinders l, 8 and 9 in theproper sequence after the insert A, tube B, tube C and pilot 50 areassembled as shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings and the starting switchesare closed. The delivery of air under pressure to the fcylinders 1 and 8is controlled by means of fourway valves 59 and 60 which are controlledby means of solenoids GI and 62 to operate the cylinders 1 and 8 in theproper sequence. Air under pressure is;d elivered,-to;the valves 59 and60 from i re line fiiisthrough branch lines 64- and with checkvalves andsalt; Lairaflow. through n The pilotivalve fi-il o the flhepipesand;Q15deliveringt-toetheioutei end The valve spool 14 is normally heldin a posi-- tion in which the piston 13 closes the exhaust port 8| andthe piston 82 is positioned between the pressure port 19 and the exhaustport 86 and delivery port 82 by means of a coil spring 84 that isinterposed between the piston 18 and the bottom of the counterbore 16.The opposite ends of the valve are closed by heads 85 and 86 and thespaces between the pistons 11 and 18 and the heads 85 and 86 areconnected to the pressure inlet port 19 through an equalizing passage87, and since the pistons 11 and 18 are of the same size the pressureacting upon the spool valve is normally equalized. The head 85 isprovided with a central exhaust port 88 that is operated by the solenoid62. 89 is opened by the solenoid 62 the air is allowed to escape fromthe space between the piston 11.

and the head 85, thereby reducing the pressure acting upon the piston 11so that the pressureacting upon the piston 18 moves the valve spool inopposition to the spring 84 until an end portion 90 of the valve spoolthat projects past the piston TI closes the port 88 except for slightleakage suflicient to maintain a pressure difierential that overcomesthe thrust of the spring 84. When the valve spool is moved intoengagement with the head 85 the delivery port 83 is connected with theexhaust port 8| and the pressure port 79 is connected to the deliveryport 82.

The valve 59, which is identical with the valve 60 except that it isreversely disposed, is connected by a pipe line 9| to the inner end ofthe cylinder 1, the pipe line 9! being connected to the delivery port 83which is normally connected to the pressure line so that the plunger 4!of the cylinder 1 is normally held in retracted position by the airpressure.

The delivery port 83 of the valve 80 is connected by a pipe line 92 tothe outer end of the cylinder 8 so that the piston I9 of the cylinder 8is nor-' mally held in retracted position by the air pressure. Amanually operable flow control valve 94 may be provided in the pipe line92 to regulate the rate of flow of air into and out of the cylinder 8 tocontrol the speed of retraction of the piston i9 and crosshead l5. 7

The pipe line 93 connects the port 83 of the valve 10 with the inner endof the cylinder 9 to normally hold the plunger 2| in retracted position.

The port 82 of the valve 59 is connected to the outer end of thecylinder 1 by a pipe line 95 in which a manually adjustable flow controlvalve 96 may be placed to regulate the speed of advancement of theplunger 4|.

; A.pi pe line 91 connects the port 82 of thevalve h the inner end ofthe cylinder 8 and a rable flow control valve 98 in the ols the rate offlow. of air to the 91 to control the 101 is operated bywa solenoid t0wh hwlien ener gized.".0pens ,the valve-'89 toiractuatez th' 1 andreverse the; pressure .'in='.t-he' 'cylin'd'e ,9 said support for axialsliding movement and having a clamping face at the small end of thefunnel, means for supporting a tube in axial alinement with said funnel,a fluid pressure operated clamping member for pressing said tube againstsaid clamping face and for moving said funnel guide axially, saidclamping member having an opening axially alined with said tube, meansfor supporting an insert in axial alinement with said funnel a plungeraxially alined with said funnel and movable axially into and out ofinsert engaging position, a second plunger alined with the first plungerat the opposite side of said funnel, a tapered core pilot the largeendof which is the same diameter, as the core, means for supporting saidcore and core; pilot endto end on said second plunger in axial alinementwith the clamped tube, fluid pressure operated means for actuating saidfirst plunger, a second fluid pressure operated means for actuating saidsecond plunger to move said core pilot through the opening in saidclamping member and through said insert and said core behind said pilotinto. said insert, and means controlling said fluid pressure operatedmeans to actuate said plungers successively.

- 3. Apparatus for assembling a tubular rubber insert under radialcompression between an outer rigid tube and an inner rigid corecomprising a support, an insert engaging plunger and a core insertingplunger mounted in opposed relation and in axialalinement on saidsupport, a funnel insert guide axially alined with said plungersandhaving its large end toward the insert engaging plunger and its smallend toward the core inserting plunger, means for clamping a tube againstthe small end of the funnel insert guide in registry therewith and inaxial alinement with said plungers, means for supporting an insertbetween said guide and said insert engaging plunger in axial alinementwith the guide and plunger, a tapered core pilot having means at itslarge end for supporting a core, means for supporting the core and piloton the core inserting plunger in axial alinement therewith, and fluidpressure cylinders for successively causing relative axial movementsbetween said insert engaging plunger and the clamped tube to place theinsert within the tube and between said core inserting plunger and theclamped tube to place the core within the insert.

4. Apparatus for assembling a tubular rubber insert under radialcompression between an outer rigid tube and an inner rigid corecomprising a support, an insert engaging plunger and a core insertingplunger mounted in opposed relation and in axial alinement on saidsupport, a funnel insert guide axially alined with said plungers andhaving its large end toward the insert engaging plunger and its smallend toward the core inserting plunger, means for clamping a tube againstthe small end of the funnel insert guide in registry therewith and inaxial alinement with said plungers, means for supporting an insertbetween said guide and said insert engaging plunger in axial alinementwith the guide and plunger, a tapered core pilot having means at itslarge end for supporting a core, means for supporting the core and piloton the core inserting plunger in axial alinement therewith, fluidpressure cylinders for successively causing relative axial movementsbetween said insert engaging plunger and the clamped tube to place theinsert within the tube and between said core inserting plunger and theclamped tube to place the core and a funnel insert guide formed thereinwith its small endopening to saidface, the second.

having a tube engaging face opposedto the tube engaging face of thefirst and axially alined with the funnel guide,qmeans carried .by saidclamping members for supporting a tube between said members in axialalinement with said guide and opening and for supporting an insert inaxial alinement with said funnel guide, a spring pressing the firstclamping member toward the sec and, a stop limiting the movement orsaidfirst clampingmember by said spring, a motor for moving the secondclamping'meanstoward the first and both clamping members with a tubeclamped between them in opposition to said spring,,an insert engagingplunger axially alined with the funnel guide on the side thereof towardwhich the clamping members are moved by said, motor, means for advancingand retracting said.

plunger and for holding the same in advanced position to force theinsert through the funnel guide into said tube, a core insertingplunger.

axially alined with the insert engaging plunger. on the opposite sideofsaidclamping. members, a motor for actuating said core insertingplunger, and means for actuating said motors sequentially.

(5. Apparatus for assembling a tubular rubber insert under radialcompression between an outer rigid tube and an inner rigid corecomprising. a support, an insert engaging plunger and a core insertingplunger mounted in opposed relation and in axial alinement on saidsupport, a funnel insert guide axially alineclwith said plungers andhaving. its large end toward the insert engaging plunger and its smallend toward the core inserting plunger, said guide being slidably mountedon said support and having means for supporting an insert adjacentitslarge end and in axial alinement With. the.plungers,-a spring pressingsaidguide inwardly toward the core inserting plunger, a, stop .limitingthe .inward movement of the guide, a tube clamping member slidablymounted on said support for movement axially of said plungers toward andaway from said guide to clamp a tube in registry with said guide and inaxial alinement with said plungers, a fluid pressure cylinder foractuating said clamping member and for moving said guide and the clampedtube toward said insert engaging plunger in opposition to said spring, asecond fluid pressure cylinder for advancing and retracting said insertengaging plunger, a third fluid pressure cylinder for actuating saidcore inserting plunger, stops limiting inward movements of said plungersand outward movement of said guide, and means for controlling theoperation of said cylinders.

'7. Apparatus for assembling a tubular rubber insert under radialcompression between an outer rigid tube and an inner rigid corecomprising a support, an insert engaging plunger and a core insertingplunger mounted in opposed relation and in axial alinement on saidsupport, a funnel insert guide axially alined it plungers and having itslarge end insert engaging plunger and its small en toward the coreinserting plunger, said guide ,being'slidr" assume,

1 I ably mounted on said-support andeha'vin'g means for supporting aninsert adjacent its large. end. and inzaxialalinement w-ithl theplungers, alspring pressing said guide inwardly: toward the-corei'nserting plunger, a stop limiting the inward movement of the guide, atube clamping member slidablymounte'd' onsaid support formovementaxially. oisaid plungers toward-andaway from saidguide to clampa tube inregistryiwith said guide and; in axial alinement with. saidplungers, a fluid pressure 1 cylinder for actuating said: clamp-- ing;member and'.for:movin'g said-guide and. the

insent unden radial compnessionbetween-an outer; I

rigidztubej andt=an innerl nig'i'dllcore comprising a.- suppont', an;insert engaging plunger and a core: inserting .plunger: mounted invopposed relation: and in axial IalinementM om: said support;- meansbetweenatheinner endssofisaidtplungers:for hol'ding;a;= tube in"axiali-alinementzwith said. plungers,- mean'slfonlmoving said: holdi'ngmeans to move said: tube: toward sai'dilinserfi engaging plunger,means-ion advancing said insert engagingplunger' and holding, the samein advanced position duringzsa-id' movementl 013 saidi tube: and then retractin'glthe; said insert :engaging i plunger-,- and meanscontrolledi-by the-"retracting movement of saidtinsertilengagingrplunger for advancing: said core; inserting plunger.

92 Apparatus =for assembling-a tubularelastic rubber insert; between anouter ri'gi'd' tube and a-nzinn'er rigidcore: comprising a support;- aninsertiengaging -plunger and 1 a :core inserting- 1 2plungermounted'inopposedzrelatim and im axial alinement on said support,a tube holder slidabl'ei onsaidsupport axially of isaidiplungerseandzhaving means for." supporting a -tube iniaxialialinesa I ment with saidplungerszandlwith. its: ends opens to: receive said-lplungers;axf-unneli guide b'etweem said: insert engaging plunger and said:

holden mea'ns for supportingt an insert. between saidi guideandinsertplunger and in axial alineea ment. with the. guide. andiplung'er, a.sleeve: slid -L able; on. said plunger I and engageable'. with: theinsert radially outwardly ofsthe plunger;:ai ;ce1i= lar: on the-plungerengagea blezwithrthe" outer of saidzsleeve. to:IIIOVBLthEFSBJTlfi-QiHWZJDdlY toward: the insert; a stop for limitingmovement] of the: sleevethei outward direction; means for aid vancing'said plunger ice-engage? said collarawitlisaid sleeve and: to :holdthe;pl'ungenand sleevei in advanced position, meansfor-m'oving said-tube:hol-denztowardathe insert engaging; plungergto "ens:- ge the insert withthe: plunger and enter th'a insert; into thehtube; means, f orretracting said insert engaging plunger; means controlledkby; themovement of the: tube holder ion retracting; said insert; engaging;plunger; and means controlled;

by the retracting movement of said insert' feni-r gaging plunger foradvancing; said core; inserting, plunger;

HOWARD: G.:BECII References..\ Cited; 5 the-n file =0I this; patentUNITED STATES PATENTS]

